Remotely controlled valve

ABSTRACT

A remotely controlled valve includes an electric motor and transmission for moving a valve stem or valve actuator. The operation of the motor may be controlled by a first input for power and analog signals. The valve is also provided with a programmable logic controller and a wireless module for receiving wireless control signals for controlling the operation of the motor which moves the valve stem or a valve actuator in a desired manner.

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/733,918 filed Jun. 8, 2015 the entire contentsof which is incorporated herein by reference thereto.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

This application is directed to a remotely actuated valve. Valves ofthis type are frequently used in pressure fluid systems where it isdesired to bleed off a small but precise amount of fluid as part oftesting procedures.

2. Description of Related Art

Valves currently available in testing environments are typicallyoperated manually or actuated remotely via an analog control cable.Analog signals are used to control a motor which is connected to a valvestem via a transmission that reduces the high speed of the motor.

Once the valves are installed in a system, the actuating system for thevalves is limited to the particular type of control system then inplace. Should a newer more accurate control system utilizing for examplea wireless signal to control a valve be desired, it would require thatthe valve be replaced and updated to accommodate the new control system.

It would be extremely useful to design a valve that is compatible withmultiple types of control systems in order to reduce the cost and timenecessary to update the valve for use with the new control system.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a remotely controlled valve. Thevalve includes an electric motor and transmission for actuating a valvestem for precise control of the valve. The electronic control module forthe motor may be controlled by a variety of methods including wirelesstechnologies, digital signal (Ethernet-TCP/IP), serial communication(i.e. MODBUS), and traditional wired analog cables.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a valve according to an embodiment ofthe invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

An embodiment of the valve 10 of the present invention is shown in FIG.1 and includes a cylindrical housing 10 having a top cover plate 21 anda bottom cover plate 22. Housing 10 contains the control module,electric motor and transmission for moving the valve stem 14 all ofwhich is shown in FIG. 2. The valve 10 also includes a valve body 17which is attached to the bottom cover plate 22 by a plurality of studs23.

The transmission includes an output shaft 21 which is connected to thevalve stem 14 via a coupler 7 and 9 which causes the valve stem 14 toreciprocate to thereby cause the valve to be opened or closed.

As shown in FIG. 2, the internal components of the valve include a motor6 and a transmission 25 coupled to the motor. Transmission 25 includesan output shaft 21. A coupler 7 couples the output shaft of thetransmission to spline 9 which is also coupled to the valve stem 14.

A similar arrangement for raising and lowering a valve stem is shown inU.S. Pat. No. 5,488,275 the entire contents of which is herebyincorporated by reference thereto.

Power for the electric motor and an analog control signal are suppliedto the valve via input connector 1. A second electrical connector 2 isprovided for digital signal inputs such as an Ethernet or Modbusconnection. The valve also includes a conventional programmable logiccontroller module 4 having a receptor section which may receive a modulecontrol such as WIFI, Bluetooth, RF or other wireless modules. Theprogrammable logic controller module 4 may also be preprogrammed withwireless protocols, such as CAN and SERIAL BUSSES (RS232/RS485). In thismanner a valve according to an embodiment of the invention may be presetto be controlled by a traditional analog signal, a wired digital signal,or a wireless signal.

The valve also includes a valve body having a fluid inlet 11, a fluidoutlet 12, and internal passage 15, 16. A valve stem 14 or actuatorterminates in a needle like valve element 13 which cooperates with avalve seat 19 in a known manner. Other types of valves such as ballsvalves, rotary valves, and butterfly valves, or the like may also becontrolled as long as it is rotary in nature. In this event, element 14can be adapted to cause rotation of the rotary valve member in a knownfashion.

A position sensor 5 provided on the top of the motor 6.

The top 21 of the valve housing may be provided with a thinner portion26 or plastic insert to facilitate reception of wireless module 3.

Initially the valve may be configured to be actuated by a particularwireless technology for example Bluetooth by installing a BLUETOOTHmodule on the programmable logic controller 4. The valve may be easilymodified to function in another wireless environment such as WIFI simplyby replacing the BLUETOOTH module 3 with a WIFI module.

Although the present invention and its advantages have been described indetail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions andalterations may be made herein without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:
 1. A remotely controlled valve comprising: a.) a housingincluding a central section, a top portion and a bottom portion, b.) amotor and transmission positioned within the housing, c.) a valve bodyconnected to the housing and including an inlet and outlet, and a valveactuator connected to the transmission, d.) a first power and analogsignal input, and e.) a programmable logic controller connected to themotor and controlling the operation of the motor.
 2. A remotelycontrolled valve as claimed in claim 1 further including a wirelessmodule connected to the programmable logic controller for receivingwireless data to control the movement of the valve actuator.
 3. Aremotely controlled valve as claimed in claim 1 further including aposition sensor that senses the position of a shaft of the motor.
 4. Aremotely controlled valve as claimed in claim 2 wherein the top portionof the housing includes a plastic insert above the wireless module.
 5. Aremotely controlled valve as claimed in claim 1 wherein the programmablelogic controller is preprogrammed with wireless protocols.
 6. A remotelycontrolled valve comprising: a) a housing including a central section, atop portion and a bottom portion, b) a motor and transmission positionedwithin the housing, c) a valve body connected to the housing andincluding an inlet and outlet, and valve actuator connected to thetransmission, d) a first power and analog signal input, e) aprogrammable logic controller connected to the motor and controlling theoperation of the motor and f) a wireless input module connected to theprogrammable logic controller.